un-tabooing

Being an atheist here is not the same as it is in Australia. In Australia, you're an atheist in a secular society. In Chile, you're an atheist in a religious society.

I don't yet know just what this means and I may never fully understand, having grown up breathing secular air. But one thing I know is that to be religious isn't fringe, it's normal. It's not taboo. Technically, it's not taboo in Australia either - speak about religion and people generally respond with courtesy, even warmth. But that's only some people and only if you keep the subject matter light. To anyone with social skills, it's soon abundantly clear that it would be preferable never to speak of such things.

So, I repeat, in Chile it's not taboo to talk about religion. This changes everything for me. In Australia, I aim to be bold, but the sensitive nature of the topic means that it's all too easy to come across as pig-headed and hatred-filled, even when that is far, far from the truth. There, I have to choose my words carefully, and speak only of personal experience or very gently nudge people towards the truth.

But here, it's okay to discuss matters of faith and folks won't think you're being rude. This means that I need to be okay with talking about Christianity. I need to present my beliefs with the same glad, gentle, forthright passion as when I tell my Spanish class how Tasmanians see themselves. I need to do this even when everyone in the class thinks that missionaries are bad and abortion is okay. I'm a person of faith; I need to act that way.

So please pray that I will be able to throw off the secular clock still weighing so heavy on my shoulders, and be a loving and courageous child of God in this new place.


H/T Frances and Mikey